Hillis running for Dickson City Council seat

Larry Hillis has announced his candidacy for the Dickson City Council to represent the 1st Ward.

He submitted the following to the Dickson Post:

“I have been a resident at 228 Old Columbia Rd. in the Eastwood subdivision for 30 years. I have spent over 45 years in public service at the federal, state, and local level receiving a majority of my post-secondary education in public policy and public administration.

I spent 30 years working for the State of Tennessee, and I served 40 years in both active and reserve military service retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, Aviation Branch, U.S. Army Reserve where I had the distinct honor to command military units in the United States and overseas in service to our nation. I am a proud combat veteran of the Iraq War. I presently serve as a Colonel in the volunteer Tennessee State Guard, and I am assigned as the personnel officer serving on the staff of the Commanding General of State Guard.

While being a resident of Dickson, I served on the Dickson County School Board as well as a member of County Planning Commission. I have been involved for decades in numerous local organizations, service clubs, veteran’s groups, and church activities in Dickson.

I am running for a seat on the Dickson City Council to continue contributing to local government affairs in the role of an elected councilman. I feel I can bring a unique set of life experiences and work history that will provide a different perspective and energy level to the position on behalf of the citizens of the 1st Ward.

Changing of council members is a way to offer different perspectives and approaches in engaging First Ward residents, other local officials, state officials, developers, and commercial owners. It will also empower the input by groups or individuals who have felt left out of the determination process of city business.

As the representative of the 1st Ward, I will be a vigorous advocate and strive to achieve workable solutions to challenges within our ward. I will ensure our ward receives its proportional share of infrastructure improvements and maintenance in a timely manner. Street paving within the ward and traffic within the ward and city must be our top priorities.

I will continue to support the needs of our first responders to help keep the ward and city as safe as possible and be an encouraging voice to those who maintain our safety.

I will devote the time necessary to be an engaged and informed council member who will strive to attend all council and committee meetings while also devoting the time and effort to establish and maintain two-way communications with Dickson's local state legislative delegation, county, regional, and state officials. Inquiries from ward residents concerning city issues will be promptly handled and receive my personal attention, commitment, and best efforts.

I have answered the call to public service over and over again. Serving on the city council would be a great honor and allow me to continue my lifelong commitment of public service to city, county, state, and nation. I would appreciate your vote and support to be the 1st Ward councilman. If you have any questions, please contact me at lwhillis53@aol.com or (615) 308-4039.